Systems and methods for networked music playback including remote add to queue

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to facilitate discovery and remote configuration of content for playback via a multimedia playback network are disclosed. An example method includes facilitating identification of multimedia content being played, the identification including at least one of a content identifier associated with the content and the content itself. An example method includes relaying at least one of the content identifier and the content to a playback system located remotely from a location of the multimedia content playback, at least one of the content identifier and the content remotely added for playback at the playback system.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is related to consumer electronics and, more particularly, to providing music for playback via one or more devices on a playback data network.

BACKGROUND

Technological advancements have increased the accessibility of music content, as well as other types of media, such as television content, movies, and interactive content. For example, a user can access audio, video, or both audio and video content over the Internet through an online store, an Internet radio station, a music service, a movie service, and so on, in addition to the more traditional avenues of accessing audio and video content. Demand for audio, video, and both audio and video content inside and outside of the home continues to increase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technology are better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of an example system in which embodiments of the methods and apparatus disclosed herein can be implemented;

FIG. 2A shows an illustration of an example zone player having a built-in amplifier and speakers;

FIG. 2B shows an illustration of an example zone player having a built-in amplifier and connected to external speakers;

FIG. 2C shows an illustration of an example zone player connected to an A/V receiver and speakers;

FIG. 3 shows an illustration of an example controller;

FIG. 4 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example zone player;

FIG. 5 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example controller;

FIG. 6 shows an example ad-hoc playback network;

FIG. 7 shows a system including a plurality of networks including a cloud-based network and at least one local playback network;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram for an example method to facilitate remote multimedia identification and playback; and

FIG. 9 shows an illustration of an example system to facilitate identification and transfer of content to a playback network.

In addition, the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating example embodiments, but it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

Listening to audio content out loud can be a social activity that involves family, friends, or both. Audio content may include, for instance, music, talk radio, books, audio from television, and other audible material. For example, in a household, people may play music out loud at parties and other social gatherings. In such an environment, people may wish to play the music in one listening zone or multiple listening zones simultaneously, such that the music in each listening zone may be synchronized, without audible echoes or glitches. Such an experience may be further enriched when people, for example, browse audio sources, add a music track to a playback queue, learn more about a music track (such as track title or track artists), or view what music track is next in the playback queue.

Listening to audio content out loud can also be an individual experience. For example, an individual may play music out loud for themselves in the morning before work, in the evening during dinner, or at other times throughout the day at home, work, or on the road. For these individual experiences, the individual may choose to either use headphones or limit the out loud playback of audio content to a single zone or area.

Discovery of audio can also be an important element of the experience. By way of illustration, discovery may involve friends telling each other about their latest favorite new song or artist. In some cases, discovery may involve browsing music magazines and periodicals that regularly review the latest releases. In addition, some online music services, radio stations, and disc jockeys are also means for people to share and discover new music or audio.

Generally speaking, discovery can occur at any time or place where, for instance, someone is listening, talking, or thinking about audio; however, new audio discoveries can be easily lost and forgotten. For example, a user may hear a song while shopping at the local mall and want to add that song to a playback queue in their home system (or some other system like a vehicle audio system). In another example, a user may listen to a radio program on their drive home from work and want to add that program to their home system. In another example, a user who has created a playlist on their system may want to share their playlist with a friend by adding the playlist to their friend's playback queue on their friend's system. In yet another example, a user has signed up for an online music service that automatically delivers new tracks to a playback queue in the user's system. Many other examples, similar and different from the above, are described herein and illustrate different types of discovery.

Certain embodiments are provided to prevent or reduce lost opportunities associated with new audio discoveries. For instance, an embodiment allows a user to remotely add audio content to a playback system, such as his or her home audio system. In another instance, an embodiment allows a user to discover audio remotely, capture it on a mobile device or some other network capable device, and subsequently provide the audio to his or her home audio system upon return. According to an embodiment, audio discovery can successfully occur even when the user is remote from a playback system, and yet be experienced on the playback system at a convenient time without getting lost and forgotten.

Certain embodiments are provided to offer a unique wired, wireless, or both wired and wireless audio solution that allows content, or pointers to content (which includes any kind of content identification or address), to be added to a playback queue from a remote location. A playback queue represents a queue of audio content, or pointers to audio content, to be played by a particular playback system and may contain, among other items, a mix of tracks or songs, albums, playlists, radio stations, programs, streaming content, or other audible items. Depending on the playback system, audio content from the playback queue may be played using headphones or out loud in a single listening zone or across multiple listening zones simultaneously and in synchrony, if so desired. In an example, a system may include one or more audio players, often referred to herein as zone players or playback devices or players, and controllers, which may also be a player in some instances. A controller may be used to control the playback system, and can include capabilities for, among other things, browsing and selecting audio content for playback, viewing and editing audio content in one or more playback queues, or grouping and ungrouping zone players into one or more listening zones, etc. According to an embodiment, the playback system may operate as a distributed system such that each controller has full control over the entire playback system, and each player has the ability to play audio content from the either a same audio source or a different audio source as another player.

Certain embodiments are provided to allow, audio content, or pointers to content, to be discovered or gathered remotely and provided to a device of the local playback system upon return to the local playback system. For instance, a user might hear a fun song in a restaurant and collect information about the song using a mobile device such as a smart phone, tablet computer, or laptop. Upon return to the user's local playback system, such as a system located at their home, work, or car, for example, the mobile device may transfer the content, or a pointer to the content, to the local playback system. The local playback system may access and play the song when convenient.

Certain embodiments are provided to facilitate remote configuration of content for playback via a multimedia playback network are disclosed. Certain embodiments provide an example method that includes facilitating identification of multimedia content being played, the identification including at least one of a content identifier associated with the content and the content itself. The example method includes relaying at least one of the content identifier and the content to a playback system located remotely from a location of the multimedia content playback, at least one of the content identifier and the content remotely added for playback at the playback system.

Certain embodiments provide a computer readable storage medium including instructions for execution by a processor, the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to implement a method to provide content to a local playback network. The example method includes facilitating identification of multimedia content being played, the identification including at least one of a content identifier associated with the content and the content itself. The example method includes relaying at least one of the content identifier and the content to a playback system located remotely from a location of the multimedia content playback, at least one of the content identifier and the content remotely added for playback at the playback system.

Certain embodiments provide a multimedia playback device including a wireless communication interface to communicate with a local playback network and a multimedia content source and a processor. The processor is arranged to facilitate identification of multimedia content being played, the identification including at least one of a content identifier associated with the content and the content itself; and to relay at least one of the content identifier and the content to a playback system located remotely from a location of the multimedia content playback, so that at least one of the content identifier and the content are remotely added for playback at the playback system.

Many other embodiments are provided and described herein.

II. An Example Operating Environment

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals can refer to like parts throughout the figures, FIG. 1 shows an example system 100 in which one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein can be practiced or implemented.

By way of illustration, system 100 represents a home with multiple zones, though the home could have been configured with only one zone. Each zone, for example, may represent a different room or space, such as an office, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, dining room, family room, home theater room, utility or laundry room, and patio. While not shown here, a single zone might also include multiple rooms if so configured. One or more of zone players 102-124 are shown in each respective zone. A zone player 102-124, also referred to as a playback device, multimedia unit, speaker, player and so on, provides audio, video, and/or audiovisual output. A controller 130 (e.g., shown in the kitchen for purposes of illustration) provides control to the system 100. Controller 130 may be fixed to a zone, or alternatively, mobile such that it can be moved about the zones. System 100 may also include more than one controller 130. System 100 illustrates an example whole house audio system, though it is understood that the technology described herein is not limited to its particular place of application or to an expansive system like a whole house audio system 100 of FIG. 1.

a. Example Zone Players

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show example types of zone players. Zone players 200, 202, and 204 of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively, can correspond to any of the zone players 102-124 of FIG. 1, for example. In some embodiments, audio is reproduced using only a single zone player, such as by a full-range player. In some embodiments, audio is reproduced using two or more zone players, such as by using a combination of full-range players or a combination of full-range and specialized players. In some embodiments, zone players 200-204 may also be referred to as a “smart speaker,” because they contain processing capabilities beyond the reproduction of audio, more of which is described below.

FIG. 2A illustrates zone player 200 that includes sound producing equipment 208 capable of reproducing full-range sound. The sound may come from an audio signal that is received and processed by zone player 200 over a wired or wireless data network. Sound producing equipment 208 includes one or more built-in amplifiers and one or more speakers. A built-in amplifier is described more below with respect to FIG. 4. A speaker or acoustic transducer might include, for example, any of a tweeter, a mid-range driver, a low-range driver, and a subwoofer. In some embodiments, zone player 200 can be statically or dynamically configured to play stereophonic audio, monaural audio, or both. In some embodiments, zone player 200 is configured to reproduce a subset of full-range sound, such as when zone player 200 is grouped with other zone players to play stereophonic audio, monaural audio, and/or surround audio or when the audio content received by zone player 200 is less than full-range.

FIG. 2B illustrates zone player 202 that includes a built-in amplifier to power a set of detached speakers 210. A detached speaker can include, for example, any type of loudspeaker. Zone player 202 may be configured to power one, two, or more separate loudspeakers. Zone player 202 may be configured to communicate an audio signal (e.g., right and left channel audio or more channels depending on its configuration) to the detached speakers 210 via a wired path.

FIG. 2C illustrates zone player 204 that does not include a built-in amplifier, but is configured to communicate an audio signal, received over a data network, to an audio (or “audio/video”) receiver 214 with built-in amplification.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, one, some, or all of the zone players 102 to 124 can retrieve audio directly from a source. For example, a zone player may contain a playlist or queue of audio items to be played. Each item in the queue may comprise a uniform resource identifier (URI) or some other identifier. The URI or identifier can point the zone player to the audio source. The source might be found on the Internet (e.g., the cloud), locally from another device over data network 128, the controller 130, stored on the zone player itself, or from an audio source communicating directly to the zone player. In some embodiments, the zone player can reproduce the audio itself, send it to another zone player for reproduction, or both where the audio is played by the zone player and one or more additional zone players in synchrony. In some embodiments, the zone player can play a first audio content (or not play at all), while sending a second, different audio content to another zone player(s) for reproduction.

By way of illustration, SONOS, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. presently offers for sale zone players referred to as a “PLAY:5,” “PLAY:3,” “CONNECT:AMP,” “CONNECT,” and “SUB.” Any other past, present, and/or future zone players can additionally or alternatively be used to implement the zone players of example embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, it is understood that a zone player is not limited to the particular examples illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C or to the SONOS™ product offerings. For example, a zone player might include a wired or wireless headphone. In yet another example, a zone player might include a sound bar for television. In yet another example, a zone player can include or interact with a docking station for an Apple IPOD™ or similar device.

b. Example Controllers

FIG. 3 illustrates an example wireless controller 300 in docking station 302. By way of illustration, controller 300 can correspond to controlling device 130 of FIG. 1. Docking station 302, if provided, may be used to charge a battery of controller 300. In some embodiments, controller 300 is provided with a touch screen 304 that allows a user to interact through touch with the controller 300, for example, to retrieve and navigate a playlist of audio items, control operations of one or more zone players, and provide overall control of the system configuration 100. In certain embodiments, any number of controllers can be used to control the system configuration 100. In some embodiments, there can be a limit set on the number of controllers that can control the system configuration 100. The controllers might be wireless like wireless controller 300 or wired to data network 128.

In some embodiments, if more than one controller is used in system 100, then each controller may be coordinated to display common content, and may all be dynamically updated to indicate changes made from a single controller. Coordination might happen, for instance, by a controller periodically requesting a state variable directly or indirectly from one or more zone players; the state variable may provide information about system 100, such as current zone group configuration, what is playing in one or more zones, volume levels, and other items of interest. The state variable may be passed around on data network 128 between zone players (and controllers, if so desired) as needed or as often as programmed.

In addition, an application running on any network-enabled portable device, such as an IPHONE™, IPAD™, ANDROID™ powered phone, or any other smart phone or network-enabled device can be used as controller 130. An application running on a laptop or desktop PC or Mac can also be used as controller 130. Such controllers may connect to system 100 through an interface with data network 128, a zone player, a wireless router, or using some other configured connection path. Example controllers offered by SONOS, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. include a “Controller 200,” “SONOS® CONTROL,” “SONOS® Controller for iPhone,” “SONOS® Controller for IPAD™,” “SONOS® Controller for ANDROID™, “SONOS® Controller for MAC™ or PC.”

c. Example Data Connection

Zone players 102 to 124 of FIG. 1 are coupled directly or indirectly to a data network, such as data network 128. Controller 130 may also be coupled directly or indirectly to data network 128 or individual zone players. Data network 128 is represented by an octagon in the figure to stand out from other representative components. While data network 128 is shown in a single location, it is understood that such a network is distributed in and around system 100. Particularly, data network 128 can be a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination of both wired and wireless networks. In some embodiments, one or more of the zone players 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to data network 128 based on a proprietary mesh network. In some embodiments, one or more of the zone players 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to data network 128 using a non-mesh topology. In some embodiments, one or more of the zone players 102-124 are coupled via a wire to data network 128 using Ethernet or similar technology. In addition to the one or more zone players 102-124 connecting to data network 128, data network 128 can further allow access to a wide area network, such as the Internet.

In some embodiments, connecting any of the zone players 102-124, or some other connecting device, to a broadband router, can create data network 128. Other zone players 102-124 can then be added wired or wirelessly to the data network 128. For example, a zone player (e.g., any of zone players 102-124) can be added to the system configuration 100 by simply pressing a button on the zone player itself (or perform some other action), which enables a connection to be made to data network 128. The broadband router can be connected to an Internet Service Provider (ISP), for example. The broadband router can be used to form another data network within the system configuration 100, which can be used in other applications (e.g., web surfing). Data network 128 can also be used in other applications, if so programmed. An example, second network may implement SonosNet protocol, developed by SONOS, Inc. of Santa Barbara. SonosNet represents a secure, AES-encrypted, peer-to-peer wireless mesh network. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the data network 128 is the same network, such as a traditional wired or wireless network, used for other applications in the household.

d. Example Zone Configurations

A particular zone can contain one or more zone players. For example, the family room of FIG. 1 contains two zone players 106 and 108, while the kitchen is shown with one zone player 102. In another example, the home theater room contains additional zone players to play audio from a 5.1 channel or greater audio source (e.g., a movie encoded with 5.1 or greater audio channels). In some embodiments, one can position a zone player in a room or space and assign the zone player to a new or existing zone via controller 130. As such, zones may be created, combined with another zone, removed, and given a specific name (e.g., “Kitchen”), if so desired and programmed to do so with controller 130. Moreover, in some embodiments, zone configurations may be dynamically changed even after being configured using controller 130 or some other mechanism.

In some embodiments, if a zone contains two or more zone players, such as the two zone players 106 and 108 in the family room, then the two zone players 106 and 108 can be configured to play the same audio source in synchrony, or the two zone players 106 and 108 can be paired to play two separate sounds in left and right channels, for example. In other words, the stereo effects of a sound can be reproduced or enhanced through the two zone players 106 and 108, one for the left sound and the other for the right sound. In certain embodiments, paired zone players (also referred to as “bonded zone players”) can play audio in synchrony with other zone players in the same or different zones.

In some embodiments, two or more zone players can be sonically consolidated to form a single, consolidated zone player. A consolidated zone player (though made up of multiple, separate devices) can be configured to process and reproduce sound differently than an unconsolidated zone player or zone players that are paired, because a consolidated zone player will have additional speaker drivers from which sound can be passed. The consolidated zone player can further be paired with a single zone player or yet another consolidated zone player. Each playback device of a consolidated playback device is preferably set in a consolidated mode.

According to some embodiments, one can continue to do any of: group, consolidate, and pair zone players, for example, until a desired configuration is complete. The actions of grouping, consolidation, and pairing are preferably performed through a control interface, such as using controller 130, and not by physically connecting and re-connecting speaker wire, for example, to individual, discrete speakers to create different configurations. As such, certain embodiments described herein provide a more flexible and dynamic platform through which sound reproduction can be offered to the end-user.

e. Example Audio Sources

In some embodiments, each zone can play from the same audio source as another zone or each zone can play from a different audio source. For example, someone can be grilling on the patio and listening to jazz music via zone player 124, while someone is preparing food in the kitchen and listening to classical music via zone player 102. Further, someone can be in the office listening to the same jazz music via zone player 110 that is playing on the patio via zone player 124. In some embodiments, the jazz music played via zone players 110 and 124 is played in synchrony. Synchronizing playback amongst zones allows for someone to pass through zones while seamlessly (or substantially seamlessly) listening to the audio. Further, zones can be put into a “party mode” such that all associated zones will play audio in synchrony.

Sources of audio content to be played by zone players 102-124 are numerous. In some embodiments, music on a zone player itself may be accessed and a played. In some embodiments, music from a personal library stored on a computer or networked-attached storage (NAS) may be accessed via the data network 128 and played. In some embodiments, Internet radio stations, shows, and podcasts can be accessed via the data network 128. Music or cloud services that let a user stream and/or download music and audio content can be accessed via the data network 128. Further, music can be obtained from traditional sources, such as a turntable or CD player, via a line-in connection to a zone player, for example. Audio content can also be accessed using a different protocol, such as AIRPLAY™, which is a wireless technology by Apple, Inc., for example. Audio content received from one or more sources can be shared amongst the zone players 102 to 124 via data network 128 and/or controller 130. The above-disclosed sources of audio content are referred to herein as network-based audio information sources. However, network-based audio information sources are not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the example home theater zone players 116, 118, 120 are coupled to an audio information source such as a television 132. In some examples, the television 132 is used as a source of audio for the home theater zone players 116, 118, 120, while in other examples audio information from the television 132 can be shared with any of the zone players 102-124 in the audio system 100.

III. Zone Players

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an example block diagram of a zone player 400 in accordance with an embodiment. Zone player 400 includes a network interface 402, a processor 408, a memory 410, an audio processing component 412, one or more modules 414, an audio amplifier 416, and a speaker unit 418 coupled to the audio amplifier 416. FIG. 2A shows an example illustration of such a zone player. Other types of zone players may not include the speaker unit 418 (e.g., such as shown in FIG. 2B) or the audio amplifier 416 (e.g., such as shown in FIG. 2C). Further, it is contemplated that the zone player 400 can be integrated into another component. For example, the zone player 400 could be constructed as part of a television, lighting, or some other device for indoor or outdoor use.

In some embodiments, network interface 402 facilitates a data flow between zone player 400 and other devices on a data network 128. In some embodiments, in addition to getting audio from another zone player or device on data network 128, zone player 400 may access audio directly from the audio source, such as over a wide area network or on the local network. In some embodiments, the network interface 402 can further handle the address part of each packet so that it gets to the right destination or intercepts packets destined for the zone player 400. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, each of the packets includes an Internet Protocol (IP)-based source address as well as an IP-based destination address.

In some embodiments, network interface 402 can include one or both of a wireless interface 404 and a wired interface 406. The wireless interface 404, also referred to as an RF interface, provides network interface functions for the zone player 400 to wirelessly communicate with other devices (e.g., other zone player(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), component(s) associated with the data network 128, and so on) in accordance with a communication protocol (e.g., any of the wireless standards including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.15). Wireless interface 404 may include one or more radios. To receive wireless signals and to provide the wireless signals to the wireless interface 404 and to transmit wireless signals, the zone player 400 includes one or more antennas 420. The wired interface 406 provides network interface functions for the zone player 400 to communicate over a wire with other devices in accordance with a communication protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.3). In some embodiments, a zone player includes both of the interfaces 404 and 406. In some embodiments, a zone player 400 includes only the wireless interface 404 or the wired interface 406.

In some embodiments, the processor 408 is a clock-driven electronic device that is configured to process input data according to instructions stored in memory 410. The memory 410 is data storage that can be loaded with one or more software module(s) 414, which can be executed by the processor 408 to achieve certain tasks. In the illustrated embodiment, the memory 410 is a tangible machine-readable medium storing instructions that can be executed by the processor 408. In some embodiments, a task might be for the zone player 400 to retrieve audio data from another zone player or a device on a network (e.g., using a URL or some other identifier). In some embodiments, a task might be for the zone player 400 to send audio data to another zone player or device on a network. In some embodiments, a task might be for the zone player 400 to synchronize playback of audio with one or more additional zone players. In some embodiments, a task might be to pair the zone player 400 with one or more zone players to create a multi-channel audio environment. Additional or alternative tasks can be achieved via the one or more software module(s) 414 and the processor 408.

The audio processing component 412 can include one or more digital-to-analog converters (DAC), an audio preprocessing component, an audio enhancement component or a digital signal processor, and so on. In some embodiments, the audio processing component 412 may be part of processor 408. In some embodiments, the audio that is retrieved via the network interface 402 is processed and/or intentionally altered by the audio processing component 412. Further, the audio processing component 412 can produce analog audio signals. The processed analog audio signals are then provided to the audio amplifier 416 for play back through speakers 418. In addition, the audio processing component 412 can include necessary circuitry to process analog or digital signals as inputs to play from zone player 400, send to another zone player on a network, or both play and send to another zone player on the network. An example input includes a line-in connection (e.g., an auto-detecting 3.5 mm audio line-in connection).

The audio amplifier 416 is a device(s) that amplifies audio signals to a level for driving one or more speakers 418. The one or more speakers 418 can include an individual transducer (e.g., a “driver”) or a complete speaker system that includes an enclosure including one or more drivers. A particular driver can be a subwoofer (for low frequencies), a mid-range driver (middle frequencies), and a tweeter (high frequencies), for example. An enclosure can be sealed or ported, for example. Each transducer may be driven by its own individual amplifier.

A commercial example, presently known as the PLAY:5, is a zone player with a built-in amplifier and speakers that is capable of retrieving audio directly from the source, such as on the Internet or on the local network, for example. In particular, the PLAY:5 is a five-amp, five-driver speaker system that includes two tweeters, two mid-range drivers, and one woofer. When playing audio content via the PLAY:5, the left audio data of a track is sent out of the left tweeter and left mid-range driver, the right audio data of a track is sent out of the right tweeter and the right mid-range driver, and mono bass is sent out of the subwoofer. Further, both mid-range drivers and both tweeters have the same equalization (or substantially the same equalization). That is, they are both sent the same frequencies, just from different channels of audio. Audio from Internet radio stations, online music and video services, downloaded music, analog audio inputs, television, DVD, and so on, can be played from the PLAY:5.

IV. Controller

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an example block diagram for controller 500, which can correspond to the controlling device 130 in FIG. 1. Controller 500 can be used to facilitate the control of multi-media applications, automation and others in a system. In particular, the controller 500 may be configured to facilitate a selection of a plurality of audio sources available on the network and enable control of one or more zone players (e.g., the zone players 102-124 in FIG. 1) through a wireless or wired network interface 508. According to one embodiment, the wireless communications is based on an industry standard (e.g., infrared, radio, wireless standards including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.15). Further, when a particular audio is being accessed via the controller 500 or being played via a zone player, a picture (e.g., album art) or any other data, associated with the audio and/or audio source can be transmitted from a zone player or other electronic device to controller 500 for display.

Controller 500 is provided with a screen 502 and an input interface 514 that allows a user to interact with the controller 500, for example, to navigate a playlist of many multimedia items and to control operations of one or more zone players. The screen 502 on the controller 500 can be an LCD screen, for example. The screen 500 communicates with and is commanded by a screen driver 504 that is controlled by a microcontroller (e.g., a processor) 506. The memory 510 can be loaded with one or more application modules 512 that can be executed by the microcontroller 506 with or without a user input via the user interface 514 to achieve certain tasks. In some embodiments, an application module 512 is configured to facilitate grouping a number of selected zone players into a zone group and synchronizing the zone players for audio play back. In some embodiments, an application module 512 is configured to control the audio sounds (e.g., volume) of the zone players in a zone group. In operation, when the microcontroller 506 executes one or more of the application modules 512, the screen driver 504 generates control signals to drive the screen 502 to display an application specific user interface accordingly.

The controller 500 includes a network interface 508 that facilitates wired or wireless communication with a zone player. In some embodiments, the commands such as volume control and audio playback synchronization are sent via the network interface 508. In some embodiments, a saved zone group configuration is transmitted between a zone player and a controller via the network interface 508. The controller 500 can control one or more zone players, such as 102-124 of FIG. 1. There can be more than one controller for a particular system and each controller may share common information with another controller, or retrieve the common information from a zone player, if such a zone player stores configuration data (e.g., such as a state variable). Further, a controller can be integrated into a zone player.

It should be noted that other network-enabled devices such as an IPHONE®, IPAD® or any other smart phone or network-enabled device (e.g., a networked computer such as a PC or MAC®) can also be used as a controller to interact or control zone players in a particular environment. In some embodiments, a software application or upgrade can be downloaded onto a network-enabled device to perform the functions described herein.

In certain embodiments, a user can create a zone group (also referred to as a bonded zone) including at least two zone players from the controller 500. The zone players in the zone group can play audio in a synchronized fashion, such that all of the zone players in the zone group play back an identical audio source or a list of identical audio sources in a synchronized manner such that no (or substantially no) audible delays or hiccups could be heard. Similarly, in some embodiments, when a user increases the audio volume of the group from the controller 500, the signals or data of increasing the audio volume for the group are sent to one of the zone players and causes other zone players in the group to be increased together in volume.

A user via the controller 500 can group zone players into a zone group by activating a “Link Zones” or “Add Zone” soft button, or de-grouping a zone group by activating an “Unlink Zones” or “Drop Zone” button. For example, one mechanism for ‘joining’ zone players together for audio play back is to link a number of zone players together to form a group. To link a number of zone players together, a user can manually link each zone player or room one after the other. For example, assume that there is a multi-zone system that includes the following zones: Bathroom, Bedroom, Den, Dining Room, Family Room, and Foyer.

In certain embodiments, a user can link any number of the six zone players, for example, by starting with a single zone and then manually linking each zone to that zone.

In certain embodiments, a set of zones can be dynamically linked together using a command to create a zone scene or theme (subsequent to first creating the zone scene). For instance, a “Morning” zone scene command can link the Bedroom, Office, and Kitchen zones together in one action. Without this single command, the user would need to manually and individually link each zone. The single command might include a mouse click, a double mouse click, a button press, a gesture, or some other programmed action. Other kinds of zone scenes can be programmed.

In certain embodiments, a zone scene can be triggered based on time (e.g., an alarm clock function). For instance, a zone scene can be set to apply at 8:00 am. The system can link appropriate zones automatically, set specific music to play, and then stop the music after a defined duration. Although any particular zone can be triggered to an “On” or “Off” state based on time, for example, a zone scene enables any zone(s) linked to the scene to play a predefined audio (e.g., a favorable song, a predefined playlist) at a specific time and/or for a specific duration. If, for any reason, the scheduled music failed to be played (e.g., an empty playlist, no connection to a share, failed Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), no Internet connection for an Internet Radio station, and so on), a backup buzzer can be programmed to sound. The buzzer can include a sound file that is stored in a zone player, for example.

V. Example Ad-Hoc Network

Certain particular examples are now provided in connection with FIG. 6 to describe, for purposes of illustration, certain systems and methods to provide and facilitate connection to a playback network. FIG. 6 shows that there are three zone players 602, 604 and 606 and a controller 608 that form a network branch that is also referred to as an Ad-Hoc network 610. The network 610 may be wireless, wired, or a combination of wired and wireless. In general, an Ad-Hoc (or “spontaneous”) network is a local area network or other small network in which there is generally no one access point for all traffic. With an established Ad-Hoc network 610, the devices 602, 604, 606 and 608 can all communicate with each other in a “peer-to-peer” style of communication, for example. Furthermore, devices may come/and go from the network 610, and the network 610 will automatically reconfigure itself without needing the user to reconfigure the network 610. While an Ad-Hoc network is referenced in FIG. 6, it is understood that a playback network may be based on a type of network that is completely or partially different from an Ad-Hoc network.

Using the Ad-Hoc network 610, the devices 602, 604, 606, and 608 can share or exchange one or more audio sources and be dynamically grouped to play the same or different audio sources. For example, the devices 602 and 604 are grouped to playback one piece of music, and at the same time, the device 606 plays back another piece of music. In other words, the devices 602, 604, 606 and 608, as shown in FIG. 6, form a HOUSEHOLD that distributes audio and/or reproduces sound. As used herein, the term HOUSEHOLD (provided in uppercase letters to disambiguate from the user's domicile) is used to represent a collection of networked devices that are cooperating to provide an application or service. An instance of a HOUSEHOLD is identified with a household 610 (or household identifier), though a HOUSEHOLD may be identified with a different area or place.

In certain embodiments, a household identifier (HHID) is a short string or an identifier that is computer-generated to help ensure that it is unique. Accordingly, the network 610 can be characterized by a unique HHID and a unique set of configuration variables or parameters, such as channels (e.g., respective frequency bands), SSID (a sequence of alphanumeric characters as a name of a wireless network), and WEP keys (wired equivalent privacy or other security keys). In certain embodiments, SSID is set to be the same as HHID.

In certain embodiments, each HOUSEHOLD includes two types of network nodes: a control point (CP) and a zone player (ZP). The control point controls an overall network setup process and sequencing, including an automatic generation of required network parameters (e.g., WEP keys). In an embodiment, the CP also provides the user with a HOUSEHOLD configuration user interface. The CP function can be provided by a computer running a CP application module, or by a handheld controller (e.g., the controller 308) also running a CP application module, for example. The zone player is any other device on the network that is placed to participate in the automatic configuration process. The ZP, as a notation used herein, includes the controller 308 or a computing device, for example. In some embodiments, the functionality, or certain parts of the functionality, in both the CP and the ZP are combined at a single node (e.g., a ZP contains a CP or vice-versa).

In certain embodiments, configuration of a HOUSEHOLD involves multiple CPs and ZPs that rendezvous and establish a known configuration such that they can use a standard networking protocol (e.g., IP over Wired or Wireless Ethernet) for communication. In an embodiment, two types of networks/protocols are employed: Ethernet 802.3 and Wireless 802.11g. Interconnections between a CP and a ZP can use either of the networks/protocols. A device in the system as a member of a HOUSEHOLD can connect to both networks simultaneously.

In an environment that has both networks in use, it is assumed that at least one device in a system is connected to both as a bridging device, thus providing bridging services between wired/wireless networks for others. The zone player 606 in FIG. 6 is shown to be connected to both networks, for example. The connectivity to the network 612 is based on Ethernet and/or Wireless, while the connectivity to other devices 602, 604 and 608 is based on Wireless and Ethernet if so desired.

It is understood, however, that in some embodiments each zone player 606, 604, 602 may access the Internet when retrieving media from the cloud (e.g., Internet) via the bridging device. For example, zone player 602 may contain a uniform resource locator (URL) that specifies an address to a particular audio track in the cloud. Using the URL, the zone player 602 may retrieve the audio track from the cloud, and ultimately play the audio out of one or more zone players.

VI. Example System Configuration

FIG. 7 shows a system including a plurality of networks including a cloud-based network and at least one local playback network. A local playback network includes a plurality of playback devices or players, though it is understood that the playback network may contain only one playback device. In certain embodiments, each player has an ability to retrieve its content for playback. Control and content retrieval can be distributed or centralized, for example. Input can include streaming content provider input, third party application input, mobile device input, user input, and/or other playback network input into the cloud for local distribution and playback.

As illustrated by the example system 700 of FIG. 7, a plurality of content providers 720-750 can be connected to one or more local playback networks 760-770 via a cloud and/or other network 710. Using the cloud 710, a multimedia playback system 720 (e.g., SONOS™), a mobile device 730, a third party application 740, a content provider 750 and so on can provide multimedia content (requested or otherwise) to local playback networks 760, 770. Within each local playback network 760, 770, a controller 762, 772 and a playback device 764, 774 can be used to playback audio content.

VII. Remote Queue Manipulation

In an example system such as the one shown in FIG. 1, 6 or 7, where a SONOS system, for example, including one or more playback devices and one or more controllers, is connected together in a local area network (LAN), the ability to add audio content (or pointers to the content) to a playback queue of the system from a remote location not in the local area network may be valuable. Further, it may be valuable to store content, content identification, or pointers to content, on a mobile device when away from the network, and add the content or pointers to content to the playback queue upon return to the network.

As suggested previously, remote queue manipulation such as “remote add to queue” differs from conventional queue manipulation such as “Add to Queue” because, unlike the conventional “Add to Queue” which is initiated from within the system on the local area network, “remote add to queue” is initiated from a point outside the system beyond the local area network. In other words, audio content is discovered at a remote location and subsequently added to a playback queue of a system. The audio content may be added to the playback queue remotely or locally depending on the configuration. Illustrative examples of remote queue manipulation, as applied to different scenarios and different system devices are discussed below.

A. Playback Queue

In an example system, a playback queue may include, for each track or item, information about the item including, for example, the title, artist, genre, etc. The playback queue may also include the audio content, or it may include a uniform resource locator (URL) or some other content identification identifying where the content is located. The audio content may be located on a device in the local area network (including a device connected directly to the zone player itself) or it may reside in the “cloud” over the Internet. In the “cloud” includes access to computer servers under the control of content providers like Internet radio stations, on-demand services, and so on. As additional audio content is selected, the content may be added to the playback queue such that the content may be played following an order (e.g., sequentially or in random order). In one example, there may be a playback queue for each zone or zone group (including a zone scene, which comprises dynamically grouping players responsive to a time or some other action), and a system may include multiple playback queues.

In the example system, a playback queue may be stored locally or remotely over the Internet. In one example embodiment, a playback queue is stored in memory on a device in the same local area network as the playback system. For example, a zone player such as the zone player shown in FIG. 2 and/or FIG. 4 may store a playback queue in memory 410. In another example, a zone player in a zone group may store a playback queue in memory for the zone group. In yet another example, a controller such as the controller shown in FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 5 may store a playback queue in memory 510. In another example embodiment, a playback queue may be stored remotely over the Internet in memory on a “cloud server” or network storage device. For example, the SONOS™ server 720 in FIG. 7 may be used to store one or more playback queues for SONOS™ systems 760 and 770. In yet another example embodiment, the playback queue is stored in memory on a combination of devices including devices both local to the system and remote over the Internet. In each case, the player or group of players of a zone or zone group access the playback queue to determine the content for playback.

B. Queue Manipulation

In an example system, conventional queue manipulation may be done by a user using one or more controllers, such as the controller shown in FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 5, communicating with the system either directly to a system component or through the local area network. Content may be played or added to the queue by the user selecting options on the controller such as “Play Now”, “Play Next”, “Add to Queue”, “Replace Queue”, and so on.

In addition to playing audio tracks from a playback queue, the example system may also conventionally play audio streams directly without adding them to the playback queue. For instance, this may be done by selecting an available stream (e.g., PANDORA™, RHAPSODY™, SPOTIFY™, etc., streaming radio station) and using the “Play Now” option on the controller. When an audio stream is played in this way, any audio stream currently being played may be stopped and discarded or otherwise not received and/or played by the system. However, the playback queue of audio tracks may not be affected. In this example system, zones and zone groups may also play streaming audio content.

C. Remote Add to Queue

An example remote add to queue method may be implemented on an example system such that one or more users may, among other things, add tracks or songs, albums, playlists, radio stations, programs, videos, and/or streaming content to a playback queue of a system from a remote location. In some embodiments, the playback queue for which audio content is initially sent may be chosen on the fly (e.g., at the time of identification or discovery) or during a “remote add to queue” settings configuration procedure. Subsequently, in some embodiments, the audio content may be sent via the cloud to various playback queues on the local playback system.

In an embodiment, the audio content is added to a single playback queue in a system. For example, from a location that is remote from the playback network, a user may add content to a single playback queue that is associated with a zone or zone group. The user using a user interface (UI) may choose the single playback queue remotely or upon return to the system. Using an example above to illustrate, the user might add a jazz song to the playback queue associated with kitchen zone. In yet another example, a user might add the jazz song to a playback queue associated with a zone scene, wherein a zone scene might be a dynamically created zone group based upon a trigger like a specific time of day or some other action.

In another embodiment, there is a single playback queue that is used for all content added by a remote user. A user may then look to this specialized playback queue to determine when and where to play the audio, for instance. In one example embodiment, a user may select content from the specialized playback queue, and save or copy the content to one or more other locations in the local system. For example, a user may select content from the specialized playback queue and add it to a personal playlist associated with the user or system. In another example, a user may select content from the specialized playback queue and add it to a playback queue of a zone or zone group in the system. In yet another example, a user may select streaming content (e.g., Internet radio station, streaming program, etc.) from the specialized playback queue and add it to a “favorites” location for easy access to the streaming content in the future. The content may be added from the specialized playback queue to various playlists and/or queues of the system via any of point and click, drag and drop, copy and paste, and other types of options.

In yet another embodiment, there is a playback queue that is associated or tied to each user. In other words, each user (or a subset of users) associated with a playback system may have a playback queue for which content can be added according to the embodiments described herein. For example, John might have a playback queue associated with John on his playback network (e.g., “John's queue”).

In another embodiment, the audio content is added to multiple playback queues in a system. For example, from a location that is remote from the playback network, a user may add content to multiple zones or zone groups in a system (e.g., added to a playback queue for the kitchen, one for the family room, and so on). In yet another embodiment, the audio content is added to multiple playback queues in multiple systems. For example, a user may add content to the playback queues in multiple systems so that each system has access to the content (e.g., an office system, a home system, a vacation home system, a car, a boat, and so on).

In yet another embodiment, a user may send the audio content to a local playback system, in which a different user can access or play the audio content on the local playback system. This may be useful, for example, to substantially and simultaneously share and discover new content with other users in a remote location. For example, a sister may send audio content home to play and be heard by her brother on the local playback system. In one example embodiment, the content may be added to the playback queue and immediately played. For example, “remote play now” may be used to provide “Play Now” functionality from a point outside the system beyond the local area network. In another example embodiment, the content may be added to the playback queue and a user may be alerted, and invited to play the new content. In one instance, the user may be alerted to play the new content using a visual indication (e.g., a message or alert symbol) displayed on a display screen of a controller. In another instance, the user may be alerted to play the new content using an audio tone or message that may be played by a zone player or controller. In yet another instance, the user may be alerted to play the new content using messaging over an external network, such as a text message, email, or voicemail message that may be transmitted over the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or Internet.

In some embodiments, remote add to queue includes first identifying or discovering the audio content and second transferring the content or content identification to a playback queue on a remote system. In certain embodiments, the two steps of identifying audio content and transferring the content or content identification to a playback queue on a remote system can be implemented in a single action. For example, a single button-press or selection by a user on a UI of mobile device or a computing device located remote from the playback network may be used to identify and transfer content or content identification to a remote playback queue. In other embodiments, the first step of identifying the audio content is separate, and may be implemented by other mechanisms, from the action to transfer the content or content identification to the playback queue. Identification of the audio content might include a device and software application on the device sampling the audio via a microphone and looking up the audio in a database based on the sampling. Alternatively, identification of the audio content might include a software application on the device that identifies the content by processing the metadata or tags associated with the content. Once the device identifies the audio content, a UI associated with the device may display and/or store the result.

D. Control Application

In one embodiment, remote add to queue may be implemented using a control application that resides on a remote device such as a mobile phone (e.g., IPHONE™ or ANDROID™), a tablet PC (e.g., IPAD™ or ANDROID™ tablet), an IPOD™, or a computer. The control application may be a stand-alone application on the device, or it may be a subset of functionality provided by an application on the device.

The control application may be interactive, such that a user uses the control application to add content to the playback queue. In some embodiments, a single action button press might add the content to the playback queue. In some embodiments, multiple actions taken by the user might add the content to the playback queue. The control application might be a part of a control application for the playback system, such as a Sonos controller.

In one application, a user uses the control application to add content to the playback queue, while in another application, a program is used with the control application to add content to the playback queue in an automated fashion. For example, a program on a remote computer server in the cloud may add newly released pop singles to a playback queue of local playback system.

In some embodiments, the user or controller must be authenticated prior to being allowed to add content to a playback queue in a system from a remote location. In one example embodiment, the user must “sign in” such as by entering a username, a password, or a username/password combination to be authenticated. In another example embodiment, the user may be authenticated simply by the identification of the control application being used on a device to add content to the system. For example, a SONOS™ Controller application on a device may be registered as such a control application.

In one example embodiment, the control application communicates (e.g., sends messages) through the Internet to the system directly to manipulate the queue. In another example embodiment, the control application communicates through the Internet to a “cloud-based server,” such as the SONOS™ server at 720 in FIG. 7, that may either host the remote playback queue or act as a gateway to the individual system, whereby each system can be uniquely identified by the household identifier (or HHID) and located by its IP address.

In certain embodiments, the playback queue of the system may not be reachable from the control application on a device that is remote from the system. For example, the user may be using a control application on a portable device that does not have Internet connectivity. In certain embodiments, even if the playback queue is not reachable by the device, it may be desirable to store the content, content identification, and/or content pointer on the device until a time when the playback queue can be reached. At that time, the content, content identification, and/or pointer are transferred to the playback queue.

In some embodiments, metadata associated with the content is stored with the content. Metadata might include the time the song was heard and/or identified by the user, the location and/or place or business where the audio was first heard, and so on. For example, metadata might include information that identifies a song was heard at a particular restaurant at 7:35 PM. Such information might be useful to users who care to know when a particular song or audio was heard (e.g., an anniversary dinner). In some embodiments, a controller of the playback network may display information associated with the metadata during (or some other time) playback of the audio content. This metadata, which relates to when and/or where the audio content was heard or identified, is contrasted with information like album art, which can be retrieved from a content provider based on the name of the song or song ID, for example.

In one embodiment, content is sent via an email or text message and when at home, a user may select a link in the email or text message to add the content to the playback system. In such an example, the controller can contain a software application that facilitates email and/or text. Other examples include adding a link to the song via a Twitter account or Facebook, for example.

E. Example Remote Add to Queue to User's Own System

Certain examples allow a user to send content to his or her playback network from a remote location. For example, a user is in a restaurant picking up dinner and she hears a song that she likes playing from the restaurant's speakers. Using an application, e.g., a content identification application running on her tablet or smartphone (e.g., an IPAD™ or IPHONE™), she can identify the song. A copy of the song or an identifier associated with the song (e.g., song name, alphanumeric song identifier, etc.) is sent to her home playback system (e.g., a SONOS™ system) via the cloud or other network transfer. She can then play the song at home some time later. In certain embodiments, a single click or action facilitates the transfer, so as to reduce or minimize the “capture time.” In certain embodiments, the song, track, or station identifier (ID) is transferred to the user's mobile device (e.g., a smartphone) for later transfer to the user's home network when the user is back within a transfer range of the home playback network.

On the user's home playback system (e.g., a SONOS™ system, an Apple AIRPLAY™ system, etc.), the song may be added to a queue or holding place, for example. The home system may first check to see if the song is available to play on the local system (e.g., checking with an online streaming music service such as RHAPSODY™ or PANDORA™, the user's content provider, checking with free content providers, and so on). If the song is not available, the playback system can provide a way to get the song, such as by purchasing the song from a for-pay store or service (e.g., ITUNES™, AMAZON™, SPOTIFY™, etc.) or accessing the song from a free content provider.

Once retrieved, the song can be placed in a queue or holding place on a specific player within the user's local playback system. For example, the user can add the song to a living room queue, add the song to Group 1, add the song to a workout zone scene, etc. The song may be added to a playlist, for example. The song may be added to another holding place, such as a multimedia drive, local storage, cloud music archive, etc. The song may be held in the cloud by a content and/or systems provider, such as SONOS™, for example.

In certain embodiments, the relayed song or song ID may be tagged with a location or other indication of where the user sent it (e.g., from the restaurant, gym, airport, nightclub, etc.) so that the user knows or remembers from where the song was sent. For example, a timestamp and/or location indicating from where/when the song was sent may be provided as a default (e.g., 3:15 pm at the Hard Rock Café, Las Vegas). In certain embodiments, a message may be sent along with the song (e.g., “My boys loved this song!”, etc.).

F. Example Remote Add to Queue to Another User's System

Certain examples allow a user to send a song or other multimedia content to another user's playback network from a remote location. In this example, as with the above example, a song or song ID (or other multimedia content or content ID) is retrieved and sent to a remote system, except that a first user has sent the song or song ID to another user's (e.g., a friend or acquaintance) local playback network. For example, a user is sitting at his home computer (or laptop computer at home or outside of the home, or a smart phone, and so on), and he hears a song that he thinks his cousin would enjoy. The user then adds the song to his cousin's home network. The song may be added to a queue or holding place on the other user's playback network. The transfer may even include a message (e.g., “Scott, I thought you would enjoy this song!”).

In certain embodiments, the second user (e.g., the first user's “friend” or relative) may authorize the first user to add the content to the second user's playback system. Authorization may take place ahead of time or on the fly, for example. An on-the-fly example may include the friend receiving a pop-up message on his or her home network controller stating that a friend wants to share a song. The friend is then prompted to approve or disapprove the request (e.g., press OK to add song; press NOT OK to ignore), for example. In certain embodiments, the second user (e.g., the first user's “friend”) may be a connection from a social site such as Facebook®, Twitter®, etc. For example, a list of friends or acquaintances may be developed from a social media site such that a user can push a song suggestion to all or part of that list of friends/acquaintances. In certain embodiments, a relayed song can be played immediately, if allowed, can be placed in a queue or holding area for later/scheduled playback, etc.

G. Example Sending to Second User's Playback Network from a First User's Playback Network

Certain examples allow a first user to send a song or other multimedia content to a second user's playback network from the first user's playback network. For example, the first user is listening at home and wants to share a song with a friend, who also has a compatible media content playback system. The first user sends the song or song ID to the second user, where the song is placed in a queue, playlist, or other holding place on the second user's playback network. The song or song ID may be held in the cloud by a content playback service and/or system provider, for example. The song may be identified, retrieved and readied for immediate, scheduled, and/or later playback as disclosed above, for example.

H. Example Remote Add to Queue from a Third Party to a User's System

Certain examples allow a remote third party to send a song or other multimedia content to a user's playback network from a remote location. For example, the user may sign up for periodic or a one-time receipt of a song (or playlist), which gets placed in the user's holding area (e.g., a queue) for playback via the user's content playback system. For example, a playback system and/or service provider may send out fun playlists to interested customers.

In certain embodiments, one or more playback systems/networks can be visualized as a group or network of households in which permission(s) for each group can be set independently. Permissions may include “remote play now,” “remote play next,” “remote add to queue,” “remote add to library,” etc. For example, a user may have “remote play” and “remote add to queue” permissions for his or her “Personal” Group, which includes Home and Office locations. According to these permissions, the user can remotely add songs to the Home and Office playback networks as well as play content on one or both of those systems. On the other hand, a user may have only “remote add to queue” permission for its “Friend” group, where the user can only add songs to households in this group (but not play them).

VIII. Example Method of Remote Discovery and Add to Queue

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram for an example method 800 to facilitate remote add to queue. At block 802, a user is exposed to the audio content. This could be, for example, a user listening to a song at a party or dance club, a user hearing a radio program while driving in the car, a user discovering a new artist while listening to music on a friend's playback system, or even a user with a tune stuck in their head from previous experience. The audio content might also relate to a video, such as movie or television content.

At block 804, the audio content is identified and a set of one or more identifiers, referred to collectively as the “content ID,” are associated with the content. The content ID may include, for example, one or more of the following: track name or program identifier, track artist, track album or station identifier, URL or other location identifier identifying where the content is located, timestamp of when the content was identified, user identifier, message tag with alpha numeric comments provided by the user, etc. The content may be identified, for example, using an online music identification service such as SHAZAM™, ECHOPRINT, GRACENOTE, MIDOMI, TUNATIC, etc. The user may, for example, use an application (for example, provided by an online music identification service) on their mobile phone to identify the audio and capture the content ID.

However, music identification services or similar services may not have the correct ID as it relates to the user's content provider. As such, certain embodiments can use software to further locate and associate the correct ID based on the user's account. For example, if a user maintains a SPOTIFY™ account, then the system may identify the song and use a table lookup to find the appropriate ID for SPOTIFY™. As a result, the playback network will be able to retrieve the correct song.

At block 806, a determination is made if the playback queue of the system can be reached from the remote location. For example, a user may not currently have access to the Internet or other means to access the playback queue of the system. In another example, the user may have access to the Internet, but may not be able to reach the playback queue system due to security restrictions (e.g., the system may be protected by a firewall, etc.)

If the playback queue of the system cannot be reached from the remote location, then the content and/or content ID is stored as shown in block 808, until a time when the playback queue is reachable. For example, if a user, using a mobile device to add the content to the playback queue of the system, is unable to reach the playback queue of a system, then the content ID may be stored on that mobile device until a time when the device can reach the playback queue of the system.

Periodically, or based on an event, such as a mobile device connecting to a wireless network, a determination is made if the playback queue of the system can be reached as shown in block 810.

At block 812, the playback queue can be reached and the content ID is used to add content to the playback queue. As mentioned previously, in the example system, the playback queue may include, for each item, the URL or other identification identifying where the content is located. In block 814, a determination is made if the content location (e.g., URL) is included in the content ID. If the content location is included in the content ID, then a second determination is made in block 816 to verify that the content can be accessed from the system at that location. It is possible, for example, that the content could be accessed from the location where the content was identified 804, but is not available (or is no longer available) to be accessed from the system. If the content can be accessed from the system then the process is complete as shown in block 826.

If the content location is not included in the content ID or if the content location is included in the content ID but cannot be accessed by the playback system, then, as shown in block 818, the information in the content ID is used to search for the content among the available resources for the system. For example, the system may use Internet search tools to look for the audio content matching the information in the content ID. In another example, the system may search online streaming services for the content. As shown in block 820, it is determined whether the content is available. If the content is located, and the user has access to listen to the content at that location, then the content is added to the playback queue with the new location as shown in block 824. Once the playback queue has been updated, the process is complete as shown in block 826.

If the content is unable to be located or if the content is located but unable to be played by the system, then an indication is provided to the user that the content is not currently available as shown in block 822. For example, the user may be notified by a visual notification on the display screen of a controller, such as the controller shown in FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 5. Once an indication is provided to the user that the content is not currently available, the process is complete as shown in block 826.

IX. Example System to Facilitate Identification and Transfer of Content

FIG. 9 depicts an example system 900 to facilitate identification and transfer of content to a playback network. The example system 900 includes a mobile device 910, a network 920, a content repository 930, and a playback system 940. In certain embodiments, when a user starts the mobile device 910 as a controller (e.g., a standalone controller device, an application running on a smart phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, personal computer, or other computing device) to remotely add content, the mobile device 910 controller establishes a link to a server (e.g., a SONOS® Server) in the cloud and/or other network-accessible medium. For example, the device 910 is configured with the Internet Protocol (IP) address to contact to retrieve the content.

During registration, a user may be asked if a “remote add” feature is to be enabled. If true, an IP address of a cloud-based and/or other network 920 server can be maintained for remote add and storage, for example. In certain embodiments, playback networks 940 (e.g., household networks) that support “Remote Add” or “Remote Play” are aware of the cloud or other network address 920 and can update their contact information (e.g., an IP address of a network-attached storage (NAS) server) with the cloud-based server.

In certain embodiments, the controller 910 can query the cloud to retrieve a list of groups and a corresponding playback network 940 (e.g., household) to which the user is subscribed. The controller 910 displays the list of active groups to which the user is subscribed (e.g., disabling inactive groups). For example, a user may have one or more personal groups (e.g., a home group, an office group, etc.) and/or one or more friend/acquaintance groups. The user selects a target network 940 (e.g., a target household) where the selected audio/video is to be added. The network 940 may be an active network. In certain embodiments, the network 940 may be an inactive network for which content may be added to the cloud for later relay to the network when active. The cloud server 920 can then return contact information of the target playback network to the user controller 910, enabling the controller 910 to communicate with the target playback network 940 to facilitate transfer of content and/or content identification from a repository holding the content 930 and the playback system 940.

Thus, certain embodiments provide remote addition, playback, configuration, etc., of media content to a playback system. Certain embodiments allow a user to see and/or hear content from outside his or her playback network and bring back or add that content for local playback.

X. Conclusion

As discussed above, systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are provided to offer a unique wired, wireless, or both wired and wireless audio solution that allows content, or pointers to content, to be added to a playback queue from a remote location, whereby the playback queue may contain possibly a mix of tracks or songs, albums, playlists, radio stations, programs, or other streaming content. Other embodiments described herein include adding content, or pointers to content, to a playback queue upon return to the playback network from where the content was originally discovered. Regardless of when the content is added to the playback queue, the embodiments described herein allow for discovery of audio, and music in particular, outside of the range of the playback network. The embodiments attempt to prevent or reduce lost opportunities associated with the discovery of audio at locations outside of the regular playback network. As a result, audio can more readily be discovered in a club, at a restaurant, in a theater, at work, in a car, at the mall, in a park, at a coffee shop, with friends, or wherever else audio can be discovered. In some instances, the audio itself does not have to be heard by the user to be discovered, but could be discovered by a suggestion from a person or read, for example.

In one example, a method is provided that comprises facilitating identification of multimedia content being played, the identification including at least one of a content identifier associated with the content and the content itself, and relaying at least one of the content identifier and the content to a playback system located remotely from a location of the multimedia content, at least one of the content identifier and the content remotely added for playback at the playback system. The method further comprising checking with the playback system to determine if the content is already available for playback at the playback system and, if the content is not already available for playback, facilitating access to the content at the playback system.

In yet another example, a multimedia playback device is provided comprising of a wireless communication interface and a processor. The wireless communication interface communicates with a local playback network and a multimedia content source. The processor facilitates identification of multimedia content being played, the identification including at least one of a content identifier associated with the content and the content itself, and relays at least one of the content identifier and the content to a playback system located remotely from a location of the multimedia content playback, and at least one of the content identifier and the content is remotely added for playback at the playback system.

The description discloses various example systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture including, among other components, firmware and/or software executed on hardware. However, such examples are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of these firmware, hardware, and/or software components could be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the following describes example systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture, the examples provided are not the only way(s) to implement such systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture.

Additionally, reference herein to “embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one example embodiment of the invention. The appearances of this phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. As such, the embodiments described herein, explicitly and implicitly understood by one skilled in the art, can be combined with other embodiments.

The specification is presented largely in terms of illustrative environments, systems, procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble the operations of data processing devices coupled to networks. These process descriptions and representations are typically used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it is understood to those skilled in the art that certain embodiments of the present disclosure can be practiced without certain, specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the forgoing description of embodiments.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in at least one example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, and so on, storing the software and/or firmware. 

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: identifying, via a computing device at a first location, a media item corresponding to audio content being played at the first location, wherein the audio content is being played independent of the computing device; in response to identifying the media item, (i) searching, via the computing device, a plurality of content provider services for the media item corresponding to the identified audio content, and (ii) determining via the computing device, a content identifier specifying a network location from where the media item is obtainable from one of the plurality of content provider services; determining at a first time, whether a playback queue stored on a playback device of a playback system is accessible by the computing device, wherein the playback system is at a second location remote from the first location, providing, to the playback system via the computing device over a wide area network, the content identifier, wherein providing the content identifier comprises: if the computing device determines, at the first time, that the playback queue stored on the playback device of the playback system is accessible by the computing device, providing, to the playback system via the computing device over the wide area network, the content identifier; and if the computing device determines, at the first time, that the playback queue stored on the playback device of the playback system is not accessible by the computing device: storing the content identifier; determining, at a second time, that the playback queue stored on the playback device of the playback system is accessible by the computing device; and based on determining, at the second time, that the playback queue stored on the playback system is accessible by the computing device, providing, to the playback system via the computing device over the wide area network, the content identifier; and causing, via the computing device, the media item to be remotely added to the playback queue stored on the playback device of the playback system for playback at the second location, wherein adding the media item to the playback queue comprises storing, by the playback device of the playback system, the content identifier in the playback queue, wherein the playback device is configured to obtain the media item for playback according to the content identifier in the playback queue.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the content identifier to be remotely added to a playlist at the playback system.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the content identifier in a cloud for playback at the playback system.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the content identifier comprises: providing the content identifier and a copy of the audio content to the playback system.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the playback system comprises a first playback system, and wherein providing the content identifier comprises: providing the content identifier and a copy of the audio content to a second playback system.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: requesting the one content provider service to relay the audio content to the playback system.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying authorization to add the audio content to the playback system.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the authorization is configured based on a group.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a portable device, and wherein the identifying the media content and providing the content identifier are facilitated via the portable device.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the portable device is configured to store the media item until the portable device is within a range of a playback network associated with the playback system.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the content identifier further includes determining a content provider from which the playback system is able to access the audio content.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the computing device at the first location includes an indication of one or more content providers accessible by the playback system.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the content identifier to be remotely added to the playback queue comprises at least one of (a) causing a copy of the audio content to be remotely added to the playback queue and (b) causing a pointer to a location of the audio content at a source to be remotely added to the playback queue.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio content comprises at least one of an audio sample, metadata associated with the audio content, and a tag associated with the audio content.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the wide area network comprises at least one of a cellular network, a public switched telephone network, and a cloud server.
 16. A tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions for execution by a processor, the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause a computing device to implement a method, the method comprising: identifying, via the computing device at a first location, a media item corresponding to audio content being played at the first location, wherein the audio content is being played independent of the computing device; in response to identifying the media item, (i) searching a plurality of content provider services for the media item corresponding to the identified audio content, and (ii) determining a content identifier specifying a network location from where the media item is obtainable from one of the plurality of content provider services; determining, at a first time, whether the playback queue stored on a playback device of a paybacks system is accessible by the computing device, wherein the playback system is at a second location remote from the first location; providing, to the playback system via the computing device over a wide area network, the content identifier, wherein providing the content identifier comprises, if the computing device determines, at the first time, that the playback queue stored on the playback device of the playback system is accessible by the computing device, providing, to the playback system via the computing device over the wide area network, the content identifier; and if the computing device determines, at the first time, that the playback queue stored on the playback device of the playback system is not accessible by the computing device; storing the content identifier; determining, at a second time, that the playback queue stored on the playback device of the playback system is accessible by the computing device, and based on determining, at the second time, that the playback queue stored on the playback device of the playback system is accessible by the computing device, providing, to the playback system via the computing device over the wide area network, the content identifier; and causing the media item to be remotely added to the playback queue associated with the playback system for playback at the second location, wherein adding the media item to the playback queue comprises storing, by the playback device of the playback system, the content identifier in the playback queue, wherein the playback device is configured to obtain the media item for playback according to the content identifier in the playback queue.
 17. The tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises causing the content identifier to be remotely added to a playlist at the playback system.
 18. The tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises storing the content identifier in a cloud for playback at the playback system.
 19. The tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein providing the content identifier comprises: providing the content identifier and a copy of the audio content to the playback system.
 20. The tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the playback system comprises a first playback system and wherein providing the content identifier comprises: providing the content identifier and a copy of the audio content to a second playback system.
 21. The tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises: requesting the one content provider service to relay the audio content to the playback system.
 22. The tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises verifying authorization to add the media item to the playback system.
 23. The tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein authorization is configured based on a group.
 24. The tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the computing device is a portable device, and wherein the identifying the audio content and providing the content identifier are facilitated via the portable device.
 25. The tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 24, wherein the portable device is configured to store the media item until the portable device is within a range of a playback network associated with the playback system.
 26. A computing device comprising: one or more processors; a wireless communication interface configured to communicate with a local playback network and a multimedia content source; and tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory comprising instructions stored therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing device to perform functions comprising: identify, via the computing device at a first location, a media item corresponding to audio content being played at the first location, wherein the audio content is being played independent of the computing device; in response to identifying the media item, (i) searching a plurality of content provider services for the media item corresponding to the identified audio content, and (ii) determining a content identifier specifying a network location from where the media item is obtainable from one of a plurality of content provider services; determining, at a first time, whether a playback queue stored on a playback device of a playback system is accessible by the computing device, wherein the playback system is at a second location remote from the first location; provide, to the playback system via the computing device over a wide area network, the content identifier, wherein providing the content identifier comprises: if the computing device determines, at the first time, that the playback queue stored on the playback device of the playback system is accessible by the computing device, providing, to the playback system via the computing device over the wide area network, the content identifier; and if the computing device determines, at the first time, that the playback queue stored on the playback device of the playback system is not accessible by the computing device; storing the content identifier; determining, at a second time, that the playback queue stared on the playback device of the playback system is accessible by the computing device; and based on determining, at the second time, that the playback queue stored on the playback device of the playback system is accessible by the computing device, providing, to the playback system via the computing device over the wide area network, the content identifier; and cause the media item to be remotely added to the playback queue stored on the playback device of the playback system for playback at the second location, wherein adding the media item to the playback queue comprises storing, by the playback device of the playback system, the content identifier in the playback queue, wherein the playback device is configured to obtain the media item for playback according to the content identifier in the playback queue. 